Pan-African lender Ecobank Group reported a 21% rise in profit before tax to $801 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, driven by strong growth across its corporate, investment, and consumer banking businesses.
Net revenues climbed 17% to $2.45 billion, supported by higher client activity, increased trade volumes, and expansion in payments and lending, the bank said on Tuesday.
Corporate and Investment Banking led the performance, with profit before tax surging 40% to $697 million, buoyed by trade finance, cash management and capital markets activity. Consumer and Commercial Banking also posted solid gains, with profit before tax up 27% to $480 million on stronger lending and deposit mobilisation.
Customer deposits rose by $4.9 billion to $25.3 billion, while loans increased to $12.8 billion, reflecting growth in trade finance and digitally enabled lending.
Ecobank said its cost-to-income ratio improved to a record 48.3% from 52.8% a year earlier, as revenue growth outpaced expenses. Return on tangible equity stood at 27.8%.
Regionally, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa was the fastest-growing segment, while West Africa remained a key profit driver.
Asset quality weakened during the year, with higher non-performing loans in Nigeria linked to legacy exposures and the end of regulatory forbearance. The bank increased its expected credit loss reserves to 7.8% of gross loans from 5.7%.
The group’s capital adequacy ratio remained strong at 16.7%, above regulatory requirements.
Ecobank’s board recommended a dividend payout of $40 million, or 0.16 U.S. cents per share, subject to shareholder approval.
Chief Executive Jeremy Awori said the results reflect continued execution of the bank’s Growth, Transformation and Returns strategy, alongside investments in digital channels and customer experience.
Ronald Bwire
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